Apparatus for measuring volumes of solid materials



J. E. SHEA Feb. 2, 1954 APPARATUS FOR MEASURING VOLUMES OF SOLID MATERIALS Filed Feb. 28, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Jbhn E Shea BY J ATTORNEYS Feb. 2, 1954 J. E. SHEA APPARATUS FOR MEASURING VOLUMES 0F SOLID MATERIALS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28 1951 INVENTOR.

John E 62:94

BY M

Feb. 2, 1954 J. E. SHEA 2,657,782

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING VOInUMES OF SOLID MATERIALS Filed Feb. 28, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet'S IN V EIV TOR.

JZhn Shea Vf Z ATTD RN EYS Patented Feb. 2, 1954 APPARATUS FOR MEASURING VOLUMES OF SOLID MATERIALS John E. Shea, Fairhaven, Va. Application February 28, 1951, Serial No. 213,189

3 Claims. (01. 73-449) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

\ sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for rapidly determining the volume and density of a wide variety of materials in a simple and accurate manner, such materials being for example, soils, bitumens, or snows. The invention has for its important object the provision of simple and accurate equipment which directly measures the above values, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which is sufliciently rugged for field service.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the 2.131 pended claims.

The device of the present invention has been designed primarily for use in extremely cold countries where there is a military interest in snow as a construction material in the snow engineering of roads, aircraft runways, and other Arctic projects.

The instrument of the present invention may be termed, for simplicity, a volumeter. Generally speaking, it consists of two interconnected air-tight chambers separated by a control valve between the chambers. The chambers may be arranged concentrically, in which event the inner chamber may be considered to be the sample chamber, or the chambers may be disposed one above the other, in which the upper chamber is the sample chamber. The accompanying drawings illustrate the details of both types of construction.

For determining absolute volume, a sample is placed in the sample chamber of the instrument, the chamber is sealed, and air at p. s. 1. pressure is pumped in. Then the valve between the chambers is opened and the pressure drop is noted on a gauge. In the instrument direct volume readings are given without the need of cal: culations.

The underlying principle of the present improved apparatus lies in the combined gas laws of Boyle (Mariotte) and Charles (Gay-Lussac), the combined relationship between which may be expressed by the equation I 2 1 Since, in operation of the test, it is run at a constant temperature, the T values in the above equation drop out and since the only measurement made is one of change in pressure, no absolute quantities are involved, and only gauge pressure need be considered. I

The improved apparatus permits a volume of air under a given pressure to increase in volume and records the resultant pressure drop. The change in pressure is a function of the volume of air, which, in turn, depends on the volume of sample material in the sample chamber. By measuring pressure drops for several known volumes, the pressuregauge of the instrument is calibrated to read directly in cubic centimeters, which is the volume of the sample.

The sample to bev measured is placed in the sample chamber, and the pressure in the chamber is raised from atmospheric to 15 p. s. i. gauge pressure with a suitable hand pump. The connecting control valve between the chambers is opened, thus permitting air to expand into the otherchamber, which is either the outer concentric chamber or the lower chamber, as will be apparent hereinafter. The pressure drop accompany expansion activates the pressure gauge needle, moving it from 15 p. s. i. to some lower value; but since the dial is calibrated in terms of volume of sample, the answer is read directly.

' The specific gravity of a sample is found by dividing the weight of the sample in grams by the volume in cubic centimeters first found as above.

Then, knowing the surface dry specific gravity of a given sand or coarse aggregate, the weight of excess moisture in a wet sample of the same material may be computed readily. Thus,

Let

yzweight of moisture in grams m dry weight of sample in grams G specific gravity of dry aggregate Then 7 v I :r-l-yztotal weight of sample in grams +y=total volume of sample in cubic centimeters The total weight has been determined previously, and the total volume can be found ,in the volumeter of the present invention. The above equations then are solved simultaneously for y, the weight of excess moisture.

Field moisture of soils can be found the same way using the absolute dry specific gravity, de; termined, as above, or an estimatedspecific gravity based on knowledge of soil types. Assumption of 2.65 specific gravity for most soils would result in a small error in moisture content computations if the direct specific gravity differed slightly from the assumed value.

In clay or other cohesive soils which cannot be penetrated by air at the pressure used, the sample may be made into a' slurry by adding measured quantities of water.

After the total volume of slurry is determined, the volume of water added is subtracted, andthe moisture content then determined as above.

The bitumen content of a bituminous mix can be determined in much the same manner. If y is the weight of bitumen present, and :L' is the weight of aggregate plus any moisture present,

the simultaneous equations will be ar+y=total weight of sample in grams where G1 is specific gravity of the dry aggregates plus any moisture present, and G2 is the specific gravity of the bitumen. Generally, G1 and G2 will have been established previously.

With the foregoing"considerations in mind, attention now 'is" called to the accompanying drawings which illustrate structural details of both modifications'of the improved device mentioned above.

' In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a vertical axial section of one form of the improved device of the present invention, the view showing a rubber sample-receiving balloon used for density determinations in extended positionfor receiving a sample of material, the density'of which is to be determined,-the view illustrating in dotted lines the collapsed position or the said balloon, and also indicating in dotted'lines -a pressure controlling pump. the view being taken along the line ll of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 2 is a similar View, but showing a cover clamped in place on the cylinders, the view showing the condition of the balloon and sample after pressure is appliedto the sample chamber;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a further horizontal section'taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but showing amodification in which the rubber balloon is omitted for volume determinations;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the device, illustrating the gauge dial and indicating pointer;

Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view of the pressure-equalizing valve;

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional View of the aircommunicating fitting {used between the sample chamber and the gauge chamber;

Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view of the pressure and exhaust valve;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a still further-modified' formofthe improved apparatus;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the modification of Fig. 10,'the view being'taken on the line |l-Il ofFig. 13;

+%=total volume of sample in c.c.s..

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the modified form of the device, taken on the line l2-I 2 of Fig. 13; Fig. 13 is a horizontal section through the modified form of the apparatus, the view being taken on the line l3--l3 of Fig. 11.

Reference now may be made. more particu larly to the drawings, and first to the form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which is suitable for density determinations. In this form of the apparatus, the sample chamber 29 and the auxiliary or air chamber 22. are concentrically disposed and are maintained suitably'spaced by a top closure 24 and bottom closure 25, the latter being provided with valves and valve-openings, as will be described hereinafter.

' Mounted on the top closure 24, which is provided with a flange 28, is a flexible, elastic baglike member or balloon 30, which is stretched tightly on the flange 28, this balloon 36 extending into thesample chamber 20. The end closure members 24 and 26 are maintained in suitably spacedrelation by spaced tie-rods 32. The chambers 20 and 22 communicate through ports 34 and 36 extending through the bottom closure 26, the port 34 opening into the chamber 20 and the port 36 opening into the air chamber 22,. these ports having connected to them tubes 38 and 40, respectively, which tubes lead into, and are controlled by, a valve 52, the latter entering the interior of an annular mounting 4Q through the side thereof, this mounting :34 carrying the assembly which has been described above. Also passing through the bottom closure 26 and opening into the chamber 20 are tubes 46 and 48 that open into and are controlled by a valve 50. This'valve 50 is provided with a nipple 52, which serves as a connection for a tube 54 that leads to a hand pump '56, which is of any standard construction adapted to exhaust and to compress air, selectively, actuation of which controls amounts of pressure in the sample chamber 20.

The sample chamber 20 communicates with a bottom chamber 58 in which is positioned the gauge and pressure-operated means therefor, the said pressure-operated means actuating pointer '60 responsively to variations in pressure in the sample'chamber 20, the communication between the sample chamber 20 and the gauge chamber 58 being through port 62, the pointer 60 operating over a scale 64 which is calibrated directly in 7 In using this device for density determinations (apparent specific gravity) the pump 55 is op-.

erated to exhaust the air between the balloon 30 and the wall of the sample chamber 20, suction being applied to the chamber 20 through tubes 45 and 48 and valve 50. The exhaustion of this air expands the balloon 30, this expansion permitting easy ingress of any reasonably shaped lump sample. When the cover is removed, the balloon 30 remains expanded for reception'of the sample. Subsequent to the exhaustion of air and placement of the sample, the cover cap 66 is placed in closing position over the chamber 29 with flange 68' of the cap'engaging the fastened portions of the balloon 30 mounted on flange 28 with an intermediate sealing gasket Ill. The cap is provided with an air escape valve 72 and is held by a clamp comprising locking bracket M and clamping screw 16.

When the cover 66 is replaced in closing position and clamped, the pump 56 is operated to pump air into the chamber 20 until thepressure rises to a selected amount. Air is pumped into the chamber 20 until the pointer 60 on the gauge indicates a pressure of, for example, p. s. i. in the'chamber. This ambient pressure collapses the'balloon 30 tightly around the sample, any excess'air being forced out through the air escape valve'l2. Then the connecting valve 52 between the sample chamber 28 and the auxiliary chamber 22 is opened, and the apparent'volume of the sample is read on the gauge. This volume divided into the samples weight and the result multiplied by 62.4 gives the density in lbs/cu. ft.

Further uses of the improved device will be indicated hereinafter. For determination of values other than densities, a modified equipment such as shown in Fig. 5 is employed, where the balloon 30 is omitted and a solid cover 66 is employed, the escape valve '52 being omitted.

(a) Thus, for the determination of absolute dry specific gravity, it is necessary only to record the dry weight of the sample and its volume as measured by the improved apparatus and as indicated on the dial 64 by the. pointer 60. The specific gravity of the sample is given by the weight of the sample divided by the absolute volume as measured by the present improved apparatus.

(b) In determining the surfacedry specific gravity ofsand and gravel aggregates, the procedure is the sameas in (a) above, except that several observers should be usedto select what each observer thinks to be the surface dry condition, this showing the effect of the personal error in establishing a surface dry condition for a given aggregate. Having established the sur face dry specific gravity of a given aggregate, the excess moisture may be determined as follows:

Let

rc weight of surface dry portion of a sample of aggregate y=weight of excess moisture Gi specific gravity of. surface dryv aggregate. 1

Thus: 7 v y (l) x+y=total weight of samplein grams +y=total volume of sample in eels If G1 has been established previously (or can be estimated), Equations 1 and 2 can be solved simultaneously, and it then is a simple matter to determine the percent excess moisture in the sample from t 100%:percent excess moisture (c) The field moisture of soils'is determined in the saris manner as the excesslmoisturein aggregates as shown in (b) above. The value of G1 in this case will be the absolute dry' specific gravity as determined by the method outlined i (a) above, or as estimated. p

(d) The bitumen content of a bituminousmix may be determined as follows;

Let

rc=weight of aggregates plus that may be present y weight of bitumen present any I i moisture Then:

T em; (1) :r+y'=total weight of sample in grams (5) ==total volume of sample in c.c.s

- If G1 and G2 have been established previously, or can be estimated, Equations 1 and 2 can be solved simultaneously and then the percent by weight of bitumen may be calculated from I 7 %:percent bitumen v (e) 'I o determine the organic content of v soil, the material first must be dried to constant weight at a temperature below 100 C. in order not to burn any organic matter that may be present. Let' I Q a:'='weight of soil y=weight of organic 'matter' present G1=specific gravity of soil G2=specific gravity of organic matter V=volume of sample V1 =volume of organic matter (7). -:c+y.=total weight of sample in grams (8) %+%=total volume of sample in c.c.s

Since dry organic matter is very light in weight for large volumes of material, it is more feasible to express the percent'of organic matter in terms of the percent by volume of the total volume of the sample, thus:

= percent V It may be'fpointed out that the present device chamberoflii'gs. 1, 2, and 5, designated at 20, is

the sample chamber, and the outer chamber 22 is the auxiliary. chamber. .With the valve 42 closed, alsamp'ie 3!, the volumeof which is to be determined,' is placed in the sample chamber 213' and the-cover 66 is clamped air-tight by meansi'of .the'clamps M and thumb screws 16.

A definite amount of air pressure (15 lbs/sq. in.)

is pumped by pumpE-G through the pressureexhaust valve 50, and'fis' registered on the pressure gauge 64 mounted on the bottom of. the

gauge chamber 58, while the air in the auxiliary chamber 22 is held at atmospheric pressure.

Then the connecting valve 42 is opened and there is a pressure drop as air under excess pressure in chamber 20 passes into the auxiliary chamber 22,- the amount of this pressure'drop being a'function of the volume of the sample -'to The various intended field uses for the present ns umen are n icate by th w e lin description. In the determination of absolute volumes in which the air is allowedto penetrate the sample, the solid cover 66 is used, thisdiffering from the cover 66 only in that no .air escape valve is provided at the center of the cover, s is provided in the ,cover 66. As th dial on the gauge is calibrated tor the instrument when used with the solid cover 66', a small correction must be made inthe dial reading to "allow for any differences in the volume of the chamber 20 when it is used, for example, with a difierent cover arrangement such as that indicated at I56.

As has been pointed out above, when the present instrument is used for density determinations '(apparent specific gravity), the cover 66 is mployed having the air escape valve 12 provided therein, and the balloon 3,0 is stretched over flange 28 of the annular closure 24;" Air is exhausted from between the balloon 3 and the walls of chamber through the pressure exhaust valve -50. This'causes the balloon to expand to permit easy ingress of any reasonably shaped lump sample 3 I. When the cover is put in place and pressure (15 lbs/sq. in.) is applied to the chamber 20, the balloon collapses tightly around the sample, the apparent volume of which is to be measured, and any excess air between the balloon and the sample 3I is forced out of the air escape valve I2. Then the central valve 42 between the sample chamber 20 and th auxiliary chamber 22 is opened, and the apparent volume of the sample is read, and the density determined as has been described above.

It will be seen from the drawings that the connecting valve 42 and the pressure-exhaust valve 50 are mounted in a collar 44 in which is seated the bottom closure 26. Pressure in the sample chamber 20 is transmitted to pressureractuated mechanism in chamber 58 for the gauge for actuating the gauge needle 60, th gauge dial 64 being mounted in a' collar 80 on the bottom periphery of the housing for chamber 58 The connecting valve 42' comprises a pair of axially aligned chambers 82 and 84 (see'Eig, :1) which are separated by a web 85 containing a port which i opened and closed by a needle valve 88 that is advanced or retracted by corresponding manipulationof the actuating key 90 which fits into a bifurcation in the actuating stern $2 for the v'alve'88. Opening into the valve chamber 82 from a lateral direction is a passage which receives a coupling 96 to which is connected the tube 38 which is also connected t a coupling 98 in 'th port 314 communicating with the interior of sample chamber 20. The other chamber 84 ofvalve 42 receives a coupling i0!) into which the tube is fitted, this tube leading to a coupling I02 mounted in the port 86 which opens into'the auxiliary chamber 22, so that when the valve 88 is unseated, the tubes 38 and 40 are placed into communication.

The valve 58 is shown as comprising a n edle valve I04 which opens and closes a port in a web I86 that divides the valve internally into' chambers I08 and H0, the tubes 46 and 48 being mounted in this latter chamber, the nipple 52 having a passage II2 therethrough which conimunicates with chamber I08, so the pump 56 is' brought into communication with the interior of chamber 20 when the valv I04 is opened by turning key I I4 secured to valve stem I16.

A port or passage 62 which connects the chamber 20 with the gauge chamber 58 extends through fittin m but te iii u tes hor f the la uriacs theme; wh h fi n i thr d d n threaded s g p em ntel fii i 0 h i h eaded in th bott m me be 26 i the c bers 2,0 and 2;. The threaded fitting I26 also is threadedly mounted in a socket ;I2 2 which projects fm the top of 112 chamber 53 and w iy has a e gies t hrqus communicating with the interiorof chamber 58.

The modification of the structure shown in lQthrough 18 is similar to the form of the device shown in the preceding views and described above, and operates in a similar manner as described ,abovej In this modification, the chambers are superposed, the sample chamber 20' being superposed on theau xiliary chamber 22' instead of being mounted in concentric relation, as in the 'precedingly described form, the sample chamber 20 being defined by housing I24, and the auxiliary chamber 22 by housing I26. In the modification of Figs. 10 through 13, the housings I24 and I26 are integral in construction. The sampl chamber 20 communicates with the gauge chamber I28 through a duct I30 for transmitting variations in pressure in the chamber 20' to the gauge-actuating instrumentalities (not shown) "in the gauge chamber I28. The gauge chamber i2 8 carries a dial 64', similar to dial 64, and likewise is calibrated to read directly in volumes, and an indicating pointer 60' moving over the dial. Th gauge chamber I28 is housed in a transparent housing 432.

It will be noted that the housing I26 of the auxiliary chamber 22' is formed with a flange I34 and the gauge chamber I28 has an annular flange I36 thereon, which is adapted to fit the housing Q26 around its bottom periplifiry and is secured thereto by screws I38. An annulus I40 abuts the flange I34 on the under surface of this flange and is secured thereto by screws I42, additional screws I44 securing annulus I40 to housing I32 inclosing the gauge chamber. The housing I24 also is provided with an annular flange collar I46 which carries spaced ears I48 between which are pivotally mounted locking arms I50 which are adapted to be received between pairs of lugs I52 on clamping ring I54 for clamping cover I56 in position on housing I24 of sample chamber 20. The locking arms I50 are threaded on their upper ends for reception of locking wing nuts I58 which hold arms I50 in looking position and clamp the clamping ring I54 tightly against the cover I56. In the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 10 and ii, a rubber balloon 30"is secured to the upper rim of the housing I24, the cover I 56 securing the balloon 30' through pressure exerted thereon through an annular gasket I60, This balloon is employed when density determinations are to be made, as has been described above. In this case, the cover I56 has an opening I68 therethrough, which reeeives air-release valve I2 that is simit th v l Y h connecting valve 42 interconnects the sample chamber 20 and the auxiliary chamber 22' as will be apparent, which valve is operated in the same manner as the connecting valve 42 and equalizes the pressure between the sample chamber 20' and the auxiliary chamber 22. A pressure-exhaust valve 50, which is similar to valve 50, also is provided, this valve 50 being connected to a pipe I62 which has branches I64 opening into the sample chamber 20'. The valve except that the balloon 30 is omitted, and a solid cover I68 is employed, the sample to be tested, which is indicated at H0, being introduced directly into the pressure chamber.

The operation of these modifications is the same asthat set forth above in connection with the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, and the uses are the same.

It will be seen from Fig. 8 that the air passage 62 which connects the sample chamber 20 with the gauge chamber 58 communicates at its top with downwardly inclined, oppositely disposed passages 72 and [1d which terminate in ports H2 and H4 in the periphery of the fitting H8. The solid top of this fitting and the downward slope of the air passages H2 and H4 minimize any tendency of dirt or particles of the sample being tested from entering into the gauge-actuating mechanism and inhibiting accurate operation thereof.

It may be noted also that the pressure of 15 p. s. 1. indicated in the foregoing description as being the pressure built up in the sample chamber for the test is merely an arbitrary value, employed as being the most satisfactory in practical operation. However, any other pressure may be used, for example, p. s. i. or 20 p. s. i., insofar as concerns operational procedure. Also, it is found in practice that it is desirable to use the two tubes t6 and 48, interconnecting the sample chamber with the pressure-exhaust valve for assuring a more even expansion of the balloon 30 when this element is being used for density determinations.

For calibrating the dial Ed so that sample volumes are indicated by a pointer 69 reacting to pressures, there may be used a series of known or standard volumes ranging from 100 to 600 c. c. in about 50 c. (3. increments.

First, a p. s. i. pressure is applied to the sample chamber with the apparatus empty, the connecting valve between the chambers is opened and observation made where the pointer stops after the pressure change. This is the zero volume reading. Then with the 100 c. 0. standard volume in the sample chamber the operation is repeated and where the pointer stops is the 100 c. 0. mark on the dial, and so on up the scale with other known volumes. As each volume increment is added, the pointer swings through an are on the dial. From a calibration curve established by these points, intermediate volumes can be located, and such intermediate volumes located on the arc of the dial.

It is found in practice that the present device is relatively inaccurate on samples with volumes below 300 c. c. However, inserts of known volumes can be put in with smaller samples to bring the total volume up into accurately measurable range. The known volume then must be subtracted from the dial reading to get the volume of the sample being tested.

For maximum precision in determining volumes of the above standard inserts, a water displacement method may be employed. The standard inserts are immersed collectively in a tank of water and there is determined what total volume of water the inserts displace. This procedure is repeated 'a number of times (for example, six times) and the average is taken as the total volume. This divided into the total weight of the inserts gives the specific gravity of the material of which the inserts are made. Then the weight of each individual sample divided by its specific gravity gives its volume.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and Patent is:

1. Apparatus for measuring volumes of samples sure in the sample chamber following exhaustion thereof, to .a value above that of the ambient atmosphere for compressing the said balloon member about the sample, a connecting valve in the said conduit intermediate the sample chamber and the auxiliary chamber, and pressureresponsive means communicating with the sample chamber for indicating the increased pressure inthe sample chamber and resulting reduced pressure responsively to equalization of pressure between the chambers, the said reduction in pressure corresponding to the volume of the sample of material in the balloon member.

2. Apparatus for measuring volumes of samples of solid materials, which comprises a sample chamber for receiving the sample, an auxiliary chamber communicating with the sample chamber through a pressure-conducting conduit, an expansible balloon member secured to the sample chamber and depending therein, means for ex hausting air from the sample chamber for expanding the balloon member to receive a sample to be measured, means for increasing pressure in the sample chamber following exhaustion thereof to a value above that of the ambient atmosphere for compressing the said balloon member about the sample, a cover for the sample chamber, a pressure release valve in the cover communicating with the balloon member interiorly thereof for releasing air between the sample and the balloon member, such air being expelled by the increasing pressure around the balloon member as the said balloon member is pressed thereby into conformity with the sample therein, means for clamping the cover in position, a connecting valve in the said conduit intermediate the sample chamber and auxiliary chamber, and pressure-responsive means communicating with the sample chamber for indicating the increased pressure in the sample chamber and resulting reduced pressure therein responsively to equalization of pressure between the chambers, the said reduction in pressure corresponding to the volume of the sample in the balloon member.

3. Apparatus for measuring volumes of weighed samples of solid materials which comprises a plurality of superposed chambers, one of which is a sample chamber, another of which is an auxiliary chamber, and still another of which is a gauge chamber, the said chambers being superposed in the foregoing order with the sample chamber and the gauge chamber being terminal chambers, and the auxiliary chamber intermediate the sample chamber and the gauge chamber, cover means for the resulting assembly, means clamping the cover means to the sample chamber, a separating memberbetween the sample chamber and the auxiliary chamber and defining a bottom for the sample chamber and top for the auxiliary chamber, the gauge chamber being also separate from the auxiliary chamber, means communicating with the sample chamber for enwish to secure by- Letters 11 abling pressures in the sample chamber tobe increased to a selected value, means intercom heating the sample chamber and the auxiliary chamber, a control valve in the" said means for equalizing pressure between the sample chamber and the auxiliary chamber responsively to,opening the valve, a conduit interconnecting the sample chamber and the gauge chamber for transmitting pressure from the gauge chamber to the sample chamber, and a pressure-actuated gauge in the gauge chamber for indicating amounts of pressure in the sample chamber both before and after equalization thereof in the auxiliary chamber.

JOHN E. SHEA.

, References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS N 5 umber Name Date Lewis Nov. 1', 1932 Gift Apr. 12, 19 38- Burleson Jan. 20,1942- Huntington Mar. 23, 1943 Helleberg et a1. June 19, 19415 Helleberg et a1 Aug. '7, 1945 Hauptman May 14, 1946 

